“A pleasant and happy life does not come from external things. Man draws from within himself, as from a spring, pleasure and joy”
Riverbend’s Advisors: Dan Johnson, Paul Saunders, and I all ran the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon this past Saturday! I’m a below average runner, but I felt I needed something to shoot for. So I prepared (somewhat) and did it!
There was a section on the run with a loop, and the faster runners ran towards the slower runners on the opposite side of the road. They were so much more fit than me. They were running so much faster.
I used to see the gap between where I am and where I ‘should’ be, and beat myself up. So much so, that I would avoid trying new things and even when I did, I wasn’t enjoying myself.
Not anymore.
I realized that I was thinking about it the wrong way. The smelling of the roses is what it is really all about. That is the philosophy that I embrace now.
I started to enjoy the process of growing…of running my own race. Trying to be a little bit better today than I was yesterday. Embracing progress, not expecting perfection.
After making the loop, I saw others running the same section where I just was. I felt humility and appreciation for the progress I have made. Not because I was ahead of them, but because I was much better off than I was 2 months and 12 pounds ago…
There will always be people ahead of you, there will always be people behind you. Where they are doesn’t matter.
What matters is:
- The direction you are going, not the speed
- WHO you are eating with, not where you are eating
- Not comparing to others
- Smelling the roses
So when you see the markets and the world get volatile, remember that you’ve been through crazy moments before and yet here you are. More crazy moments will come, and you’ll make it through those too.
PLEASE don’t forget those important people in your life. Enjoy your time with them. Smell. The. Roses…
Check out our new video. We talk about retirement income strategies during market volatility.
